B’gosh! ‘Tis time for St. Patrick’s Day parade

The city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade will start making its way through downtown at 10 a.m.

And several other events are planned in conjunction with the parade.

Parade organizers remind local residents that anyone who is interested in participating in the parade -- even if it's a last-minute decision -- is welcome to join the fun. To join the festivities, line up on Main Street near Chieftain Swimming Pool.

The parade will start at Fourth and Main, head downtown and disperse at Fourth and Shawnee.

¢ Floats will vie for prize money: $125 for first place; $75 for second place; and $50 for third place.

¢ Open class prizes: $60 for first; $40 for second; and $25 for third.

¢ Funds for the float and open categories have been donated by the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce, the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission and the Friends of the Tonganoxie Library.

¢ Evans Real Estate has donated $100 for a Best Band Award.

"We've got quite a few people saying they're coming," said Debbie Breuer, who's heading the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce committee that's organized the event. "I look for a very good turnout this year."

Before the festivities get under way, local Girl Scouts will be counting on parade-goers having an early-morning appetite.

The Scouts will hold a biscuit and gravy breakfast at the former Ratliff's Drug Store at the northeast corner of Fourth and Bury. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

At 11 a.m., Chapter AT of PEO will pick up the serving as members kick off their annual corned beef and cabbage lunch at the Congregational Church, Fourth and Shawnee. The lunch will be served until 1 p.m.

If books are your fancy -- and, remember, Ireland is known for its writers -- the Tonganoxie Public Library's Book Sale is worth checking out. On Saturday, the sale will be under way from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, Third and Bury.

The sale actually kicks off on Thursday with a special preview for members of Friends of the Library, which costs $5 to join. The preview will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday, the sale continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.